Your master bathroom is your oasis. It’s where you go at the end of a long day to wash away the stress, to practice self-care, or to prepare for the day ahead. The bathroom is more than just another room in the house; it’s a sanctuary for relaxation, reflection, and continued well-being.

Not only that, but your bathroom is where you literally and figuratively bare your authentic self, so your interior design should be a reflection of what that means to you.

Recent events have left many of us feeling anxious and drained. As a result, today’s remodeling trends lean heavily towards comfort and relaxation. Spa-like bathrooms with high-end amenities and eco-friendly textiles are the way of the world right now, and there are many exciting possibilities to consider.

Exploring Design Styles

In years past, we’ve seen an explosion of stark and minimalist bathroom design trends. Many homeowners love this look because of its clean, sleek, and enduring aesthetic. Of course, you can’t go wrong with the classics: black and white are bathroom color staples that have endured in one form or another through the decades. There has also been a rise in Scandinavian-inspired simplicity, a style that reflects an affinity for warmth, depth, and the beauty of nature.

Ostensibly, the less cluttered your bathroom is, the less cluttered your mind will be—and that’s sure to appeal to many modern homeowners.

And while this modest style is not going anywhere, we’re also starting to see some bathroom design that leans away from simplicity.

For some homeowners, it’s all about embracing beautiful things. Forget minimalism: some people just want to appreciate the finer things in life! That’s why you might start to see bathroom trends that take a more no-holds-barred approach to self-care and relaxation. In many cases, this means style and glamor, with plants in gilded pots dangling fronds over bathtubs, intricate tilework, and a variety of items (think sculptures, freestanding towel rails, and even luxurious furniture) that make the home’s occupants feel happy.

No matter what style makes you feel most at home, there are no wrong answers. Indulge your senses, and it will always feel just right.

Choosing Countertops

Quartz has become one of the most popular choices for countertops in recent years. It’s beloved for its beauty, hardiness, and stain resistance, making it the perfect choice for the bathroom. Quartz is a processed natural stone that comes in a veritable rainbow of colors, textures, and patterns, so it lends itself to any décor palette. It is dense, non-porous, and heat-resistant, so it stands up to hairstyling appliances, water splashes, bumps, and scrapes. Plus, unlike other natural stones like marble, it needs minimal care to stay fresh and gorgeous. Finally, because quartz is an engineered stone, it can be cut to any size or shape, making it perfect for oddly sized bathrooms or custom vanities.

Quartz countertops are an investment, but they’re significantly less expensive than natural granite—another popular countertop option. Although both are lovely and durable, quartz is much more versatile and long-lasting. The classic elegance and durability of quartz countertops will serve you for many, many years to come.

If you’re looking for an alternative to stone, concrete is a popular choice in modern design. Although it’s not traditionally viewed as something you’d see in a high-end bathroom, you might be surprised at its beauty and versatility. Concrete countertops are smooth, sleek, and beautiful in their simplicity, and the options for colors and finishes are rapidly expanding. And depending on how you design the rest of your space, they don’t have to look industrial—unless you want them to. Concrete is naturally eco-friendly, highly durable, and low maintenance. Cleaning up spills promptly is necessary with concrete, but if you invest in sealing and waxing the countertops periodically to help maintain their finish and protect them against stains, maintenance is a snap. When you invest in concrete countertops, you can be sure you’re getting something unique, elegant, simple, and ultimately versatile.

Bathroom Flooring and Tilework

Tiles have been the go-to selection for bathroom flooring for eons. Bathrooms are, as dictated by function, wet, and the floor and walls require a surface that can stand up to moisture. That’s why so many homeowners choose tile: both ceramic and porcelain are non-porous and highly durable, making them ideal for a steamy bathroom setting.

Subway tiles are an eternal favorite for bathroom décor. These days, they’re so ubiquitous that some feel they’re overused, but we tend to think of them as an enduring classic. This neat, bricklike design with a twist is an ideal choice for homeowners who want to be stylish, and there are some great ways to steer clear of a clichéd look. To liven up your subway tiles, play with patterns, like herringbone, or use contrasting grout colors to create a three-dimensional effect.

In 2021, homeowners are forgoing tiles with tiny, dizzying patterns in favor of bold, eye-catching designs. That’s not to say that every bathroom floor or backsplash has to be screaming for attention, of course; a single-color bathroom with a statement floor tile design can be very effective. Tiles with block colors, oversized prints and patterns, saturated hues, unique shapes, and even colored grout are an excellent way to boost your bathroom’s style factor without doing a complete renovation.

Texture plays a big part in tile selection, as well. From raw, matte surfaces to glossy, hand-painted finishes, there’s a wide array to choose from. There are even tiles designed to look like wood, which is a great way to incorporate a “natural” element into your bathroom without having to worry about warping and rotting.

Whether you’re using eye-popping tile as your focus feature or allowing it to subtly complement the rest of your design, don’t be afraid to play around with tile in your bathroom. And tiles don’t just have to be relegated to the floor! Visually appealing tile is great for a bathroom wall or accent, too.

Fittings, Fixtures, and Finishings

The soaker tub is having a renaissance in 2021. Much more versatile and space-efficient than its traditional built-in counterpart, the soaker tub is as stylish as it is luxurious, and can be used as a statement or focus piece in the bathroom. These freestanding beauties come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them suitable for almost any space—and the name of the game is a good, deep soak, which is undoubtedly what you’ll get when sinking into one of these luxuriant tubs.

Homeowners who enjoy a moody and minimal look will be attracted to the “dark fixture” trend. Black, matte fixtures are modern, stylish, and visually striking without being garish. As any fashionista will tell you, black goes with everything, so this trend complements any palette. And for individuality, brushed black fixtures are a gorgeous alternative to the glossy chrome that’s been everywhere for decades.

Metallics are incredibly trendy in 2021; copper, brass, and gold are having a moment. Of course, silver fixtures haven’t gone anywhere—you’ll still see them in many a stylish bathroom—but 2021 is giving other metallic tones an extraordinary chance to shine. Whether it’s bright and glossy or brushed matte, you can’t miss with metallic fixtures in your bathroom.

Smart Features

Weird as it might sound, the digital age is coming to a bathroom near you. While you’re probably most focused on the style of your fixtures, consider that you can also upgrade them with smart capabilities. Now, it’s possible to preset your shower temperature and turn it on with the tap of a button. You can also monitor water usage, warm your toilet seat, adjust the bathroom lighting, and even check your emails and the weather on your smart mirror. Customize your bathroom to be the most relaxing, efficient space possible, and you won’t want to leave.

The most important thing to remember about your bathroom décor is that trends come and go. Classic design, high-quality materials, and reliable fixtures will always be in style. And when you’re considering your budget, weigh it against the upgrade to your comfort and quality of life. Ultimately, if it makes you feel happy and relaxed in your home, you can’t ask for more.

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You don’t have to be a Richard Branson or Jeff Bezos to head to space. Now, you can book your own history-making flight via Space Perspective.

The Florida-based luxury spaceflight experience company recently announced that reservations are now open for their six-hour flights aboard Neptune One, which will reach the edge of space with balloon assistance.

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French designer Thierry Gaugain, a frequent collaborator with renowned designer Philippe Starck, has unveiled his vision for a “palace on rails.”

The $350 million private “G Train” project reimagines the luxury rail travel experience with the modern yacht experience in mind. The 400-meter long train consists of 14 cars and glass so technologically advanced that it can switch from opaque to complete transparency. Passengers can also change “the interior ambiance of the train in whichever section they are,” says Gaugain. If they want a view to the outside, they can switch to transparent mode. If they want to create their own views, they can simply change the glass to opaque with any scene they want.

The romance of the G Train is not so much travel speed — but the journey itself.

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You can now sleep surrounded by the 18th-century opulence of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI.

For the first time in its 387-year history, the Palace of Versailles has opened a luxury hotel. Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle offers 14 regal rooms and suites and one signature suite, all designed by architect Christophe Tollemer. Period furniture, plush fabrics, crystal chandeliers and old-fashioned clawfoot bathtubs make guests feel like royalty.

Guests will have full access to the palace’s famous grounds and surrounding areas, including spaces usually closed to visitors. They’ll also enjoy dinners prepared by Michelin-starred French chef Alain Ducasse at the hotel restaurant, a spa and an indoor swimming pool. 

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Christian Siriano, star of Project Runway and a mainstay in the fashion world, is known for crafting textural and whimsical red carpet gowns for countless celebrities. Now, he’s translated his aesthetic into a modernist line of furniture for the home.  The new nine-piece collection available on 1stdibs.com feels playful and fun — much like his dresses. Simple geometric shapes, combined with a muted palette of white, beige and grey, play off subtle textures like wood and soft bouclé fabric.

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When the digital artwork “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” by American artist Beeple sold at Christie’s for $69 million earlier this year, it was clear that a major revolution was afoot. That revolution is the rise of virtual assets, or NFTs, which have their ownership status and authenticity verified by blockchain — much like a deed.

It’s not just virtual artwork that is exploding, but also virtual real estate in the form of virtual plots of land or virtual buildings. Crypto-investors say that the real explosion will happen when people are able to experience these NFTs as they were intended — i.e. move around on your plot of virtual land or architect-designed virtual home and have an immersive experience in this ‘metaverse.’

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One of the world’s first 3D-printed homes has made its debut in Ravenna, Italy. Designed by Mario Cucinella Architects, the 645-square-foot structure is made entirely of local clay — a departure from previous 3D-printed structures that used concrete or synthetic materials like plastic. Mansion it is not, but the minimalistic design feat combines new technology with the ancient tradition of using building materials from the Earth. Named TECLA (after Italian writer Italo Calvino’s fictional city of Thekla), the home was built in just 200 hours and boasts a bedroom, living area, and bathroom.

Efficient, sustainable and low-waste, TECLA could offer a new vision for our building future.

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Being able to stroll through “Starry Night” is an art lover’s dream — and now you can feel as if you are rolling with the very clouds painted by Van Gogh himself. One of the pandemic’s most popular art events, “Immersive Van Gogh” is expanding its reach to cities across the U.S. The multisensory experience debuted in Toronto last July, and opened in Chicago in February. Now the show is headed to San Francisco (now open), Los Angeles in May and New York in June.

Immersive Van Gogh features more than 500,000 cubic feet of projected iconic van Gogh works  and lasts one hour. Ticket prices for “Immersive Van Gogh” start at $39.99 for adults and $24.99 for those 16 and younger. Expect face masks, temperature checks and social distancing. A similar exhibit is running in other cities, including Las Vegas, Atlanta, Boston and Houston. The shows are selling out so quickly that many are being extended through the fall.

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Homeowners have been focused on making their kitchens work better for them as they spend more time at home, according to Houzz’s “2021 U.S. Kitchen Trends Study.” Here are three key ways the kitchen space is changing this year. 

1. A focus on storage – Of the one-third of homeowners who opted for partial cabinet upgrades, more than a quarter added at least some cabinets to their newly renovated kitchen, nearly four times as many as the previous year. The percentage of homeowners adding or upgrading a pantry space also increased, with nearly half the surveyed homeowners upgrading pantry cabinets and one in eight adding a walk-in pantry, both gains from the previous year. There was also a greater focus on adding built-in specialty organizers, drawers or trays.

2. Closing up open layouts— In 2020, people quickly recognized the disadvantages of having a lack of walls as multiple members tried to hold concurrent video meetings. The number of renovating homeowners opening their kitchen to other interior spaces has dropped dramatically since 2019. However, the open concept is not necessarily going away completely, says Houzz. Even just adding simple partitions or sliding doors between the kitchen and other spaces can often do the trick.

3. Touchless tech – The pandemic has made many of us hyper-aware of the surfaces we touch. In response, there has been growing popularity for appliances with wireless controls; it grew by five percentage points since last year.

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